Shipboard winch with retract reel actuator

ABSTRACT

A manually operated winch intended especially for use in close quarters, such as on board sailing ships or the like, which uses a spring-biased retract reel and pull cord for winch actuation. The winch operating mechanism can be adapted to existing winch installations of the hand-lever type, as well as being provided as original equipment. In a modified form of the invention, a two-speed winch mechanism is provided using the same principle of retract reel actuation.

United States Patent 1191 Lovett 1 1 May 15, 1973 [54] SHIPBOARD WINCH WITH RETRACT 1,061,749 5 1913 Jennings ..242 107 R REEL ACTUATOR 1,903,514 4/1933 Merriman et al. l92/46 X 2,323,535 7 1943 d [76] Inventor: John R. L0ve tt, 23 604 Lake Road, 3 085 768 1, $35, 3 y vlllage, Ohio 44140 3,391,907 7/1968 Vogelsang ..254 150 R [22] Filed: May 24, 1971 Primary ExaminerEvon C. Blunk PP 146,080 Assistant Examiner-Merle F. Maffei A ttorney- Isler and Omstein [52] US. Cl ..254/150 R, 192/46, 74/126,

242 54 R [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. ..B66d l/30 a d 58 Field of Search ..254/150 R, 186 HC; A peratedwmh ePem11-y for 242/54 R 107 R 74 126 128' 192 46 use in close quarters, such as on board sailing ships or the like, which uses a spring-biased retract reel and l pull cord for winch actuation. The winch operating mechanism can be adapted to existing winch installa- [56] References cued tions of the hand-lever type, as well as being provided UNITED STATES AT as original equipment. In a modified form of the in- 1 vention, a two-speed winch mechanism is provided 992,577 5/1911 Menges ..l23/l85 BA using the same principle of retract reel actuation 1,015,459 1/1912 Rlggle ..242/l07 R 9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDHAY 1 5mm 7 3 052 sum 1 0r 2 INVENTOR.

31 Jon-m R. LcNETT BY SM 1; W

All! I BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Free wheeling stanchion type winches are used extensively on sailboats used as pleasure craft or as racing craft. The lines are wound or snubbed around the winch body and pulled as taut as possible by hand. Then, a removable lever or operating handle is inserted in the winch body and force is applied to further rotate the winch to achieve final tightening of the line.

More frequently than not, the marine winch is located in close quarters on board ship closely adjacent to the gunwale. It is difficult to manipulate the lever handle of the winch full circle in such close quarters and it is even more difficult to obtain adequate leverage force on the handle as it is rotated in its operating arc. These normal difficulties are magnified and compounded during heavy weather or racing conditions, when the vessel may be listing or pitching or rolling so that the crewman at the winch has no secure footing.

The necessity for moving the operating lever of the winch through a rotating are which may be as much as 360 or more or, alternatively, the necessity of withdrawing the operating handle from the winch and changing it to a position 180 removed, represent obstacles to the efficient and speedy securing and tightening of the lines, particularly in racing competition or where rapid changes of course are required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to eliminating the aforesaid operating disadvantages of the above-described type of shipboard winch by using a winch actuator mechanism which permits the operating or actuating force to be applied in only one direction uniformly, so that the crewman can take a position and operate the winch without the necessity of moving around.

The use of this improved winch operating device also permits the crewman to brace himself against the coaming, if necessary, during the operation of the winch, so thathe can maintain his position even during heavy seas and severe listing of the boat, as well as obtaining increased force and speed for winch operation by reason of the braced position of the operator.

In a modified form of the invention, a two-speed arrangement is provided utilizing the retract reel actuator principle, thus permitting a greater mechanical advantage to be obtained from the winch, if necessary or desired, without the need for manipulating any control or switching arrangement when changing from one speed of operation to the other.

An additional advantage of the invention is that it may readily be adapted to existing winch installations, thereby permitting upgrading of winch performance and operation without requiring the expense of an entirely. new winch installation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view of a winch embodying the features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken as indicated on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken as indicated on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a modified form of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 2 showing another modified form of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, there is shown a winch body 10 of conventional configuration which is mounted for rotation relatively to a supporting base 11 which, in turn, is affixed in any conventional manner to the deck or other suitable structure of the boat or ship (not shown). A housing 12, in which the winch actuating mechanism is mounted, is interposed between the winch body 10 and the support base 11. This arrangement of the several components is preferred, as it permits the operating element of the winch to be removed for maintenance or repair without the necessity of detaching the support base 11 from the ship structure. This arrangement also lends itself readily to installation of the winch actuator in existing prior art winches, in which the winch body is rotatably mounted directly on the support base, by simply interposing the actuating mechanism housing 12 between the bottom of the existing winch body and the support base 11 on which it is conventionally mounted. It will be apparent, however, that this arrangement is not mandatory for either the original equipment installations or adaptation to existing winch installations, as the housing 12 may be extended or enlarged and attached directly to the ship structure to serve the same function as the support base 11.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings, the winch body 10 is substantially hollow, but is provided with a median transverse partition or wall section 13 and a top transverse wall 14, spaced from the partition 13. An axial bore or opening 15 extends through the walls 13 and 14 to accomodate the upper portion of a drive shaft 16 which projects exteriorly of the housing 12. The upper end of the shaft 16 is provided with an annular recess 17 to accomodate a snap ring 18 which restrains the winch body 10 against upward displacement relatively to the shaft.

The under surface 19 of the partition 13 serves as a bearing surface which rests upon a friction-reducing thrust washer 20 which is mounted on a upstanding portion or boss 21 forming part of the cover plate 22 for the housing body 23. The drive shaft 16 is journalled for rotation in suitable sleeve bearings 24 and 25 in the housing portions 22 and 23.

The under surface 19 is provided with a diametrically extending recess 26 which receives and accomodates a drive pin 27 which extends diametrically through the drive shaft 16. The drive pin 27 transmits the rotary motion of the drive shaft to the winch body, serving as the driving connection between the shaft and the winch body so that they both will rotate simultaneously. This arrangement permits the winch body to be easily assembled to or removed from the drive shaft 16 as, by removing the retaining snap ring 118 the winch housing can be lifted off the shaft. A drive gear 28 is keyed to the drive shaft 16, as at 29, for rotation therewith. A spacer bushing 30 is carried by the shaft 16 between the drive gear and the upper sleeve bearing 24 to maintain the gear 28 against longitudinal displacement on the shaft.

The spur gear 28 meshes with a drive pinion 31 which is mounted for rotation on an axle shaft 32 mounted in the housing 12. The spur gear 28 and the pinion gear 31 provide a driving gear train for rotation of the drive shaft 16. A retract reel 33 is also mounted for rotation on the axle shaft 32 and is provided with a unidirectional clutch, here illustrated as a spring-loaded pawl 34 which engages the teeth of the pinion 31 to cause thepinion to rotate with the reel when the reel is rotated in one direction, counter-clockwise in this instance. When the reel rotates in the opposite direction, the pawl 34 yieldably rides over the teeth of the pinion gear 31 without causing the pinion to rotate.

A flexible element, which could be a cable or metal strip, but which is here shown as a cord 35, is wound upon the reel and has one end thereof anchored to the reel. The opposite free end of the cord projects through a suitable opening provided in the housing body 23 and has a pull handle 36 secured thereto. The cord 35 is extendable from the reel and will unwind in response to a pull on the handle 36. As the cord is pulled away from the reel, the reel is caused to rotate in a counterclockwise direction. A spiral spring 37 has one end thereof secured to the reel 33, as at 38, and has the other end thereof anchored to the housing 12, as at 39. The spring is customarilypre-energized to some extent during assembly of the winch actuating mechanism, so that it will tend to urge the reel to clockwise rotation. When the reel is at rest in a non-operating position, it is prevented from this spring-biased rotation by the abutment of the pull handle 36 with the housing 12 so that the cord cannot wind any further upon the reel and restrains movement of the reel in the clockwise direction. However, when the cord is extended by means of the pull handle, the reel is rotated in a counterclockwise direction in opposition to the spiral spring 37, causing the spring to become further energized. After the pull on the cord is relieved, the spring 37 causes counter-rotation of the reel and retraction of the cord until such movement is arrested by the previously described abutment of the pull handle with the housing.

In operation of the device, the crewman pulls or extends the cord or cable 35 by grasping and pulling on the pull handle 36. The cord 35 can of course be extended to the limit of its length, if desired, but the more convenient procedure is to utilize a series of two or three short movements of the cord, permitting it to retract after each short movement, until the line which has been previously wound around the winch has reached the desired degree of tautness. A spring-loaded pawl 40 is preferably provided for engagement with the spur gear 28 to prevent counter-rotation of the winch body during the retraction of the reel 33, although the necessity for this pawl arrangement may depend upon the gear ratios which are employed.

In response to the counter-clockwise rotation of the reel 33, the drive pinion is clutched by the pawl 34 to impart counter-clockwise rotation to the pinion which, in turn, engages with and drives the spur gear 28 in a clockwise direction. This causes the drive shaft 16 which is keyed to the drive gear 28, and which is connected to the winch body 10 by means of the drive pin 27, to cause rotation of the winch body. When the line has been drawn taut, the free end thereof can be conveniently secured or anchor-ed in a V-shaped circumferential groove 41 which is provided for that purpose at the upper end of the winch body.

The mechanical advantage obtained through the use of this winch arrangement is composed of two separate factors. One mechanical advantage is obtained as a result of the gear ratio employed in the gear train which, for example, could be 6:1. A second mechanical advantage is obtained through the lever arm provided by the cord on the reel and would depend upon the diameter of the reel which is used. For example, a reel having a nominal diameter of four inches and a working radius of approximately two inches would itself provide a mechanical advantage of 2:1 which augments the mechanical advantage obtained through the gear ratio to provide a total mechanical advantage of approximately 12:1 in the winch device. It will be understood that these values are merely illustrative approximations within the expected range of utility of the device and that the components involved in obtaining a desired total mechanical advantage could be designed to achieve any desired objective. Thus, by decreasing the diameter of the drive pinion 31, while maintaining the dimensions of the reel and spur gear without change, both types of mechanical advantage would be increased to provide a higher ratio of mechanical advantage. Likewise, the diameter of the spur gear could be decreased to decrease the mechanical advantage obtained in the gear ratio while maintaining the mechanical advantage obtained by the lever arm in the reel to .pinion relationship.

In FIG. 4 of the drawings, a modified form of the invention is shown to provide for a two-speed optional operation of the winch. This form of winch actuator utilizes and embodies the previously described components to achieve operation at one of the two selected speeds. In addition, a second gear train and reel assembly is employed consisting of a second spring-biased retract reel 42 and pinion gear 43 mounted for rotation on the axle shaft 44 to engage and drive a second spur gear 45 which is connected to or integrated with the drive pinion 31 for rotation therewith. A second actuating cord or cable 46 is wound on the reel 42 in a direction of opposite hand to that of the cord 35 on the reel 33, so that when the cord 46 is pulled or extended, the reel 42 will be caused to rotate in a clockwise direction. A second clutch pawl 34 operatively interconnects the pinion 43 with the reel 42 so that the rotation of the reel is transmitted to the pinion in the clockwise direction, but the reel can retract in a counter-clockwise direction without transmitting this movement to the pinion.

When the cord 35 is extended to operate the reel 33, the winch actuating mechanism operates in the manner previously described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawings. Although the second spur gear 45 is caused to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction by the rotation of the drive pinion 31, and thereby causes clockwise movement of the meshed pinion 43, there is no corresponding movement of the reel 42 as the unidirectional pawl 34 permits over-riding motion of the pinion 43 relatively to the reel 42 in this clockwise direction of movement. Thus whatever mechanical advantage is obtained through the reel 33 and gears 31 and 28 is the only mechanical advantage obtained through operation of the pull cord 35.

If instead, the pull cord 46 is the one that is utilized, the clockwise rotation of the pinion 43 is translated into counter-clockwise rotation of the spur gear 45 and of the pinion gear 31 to rotate the drive gear 28 in a clockwise direction, which motion is transmitted to the winch. The clutch pawl 34 between the reel 33 and the pinion gear 31 permits overriding rotation of the pinion 31 relatively to the reel 33 in this counter-clockwise direction of movement. Whatever mechanical advantage is obtained through the gear ratio of the gear train 28, 31 is augmented and multiplied by the mechanical advantage obtained through the lever arm of the second reel 42 and its gear train 43, 45. Therefore, as in the illustrative example previously given, if a 6:1 gear ratio is used and the total mechanical advantage obtained through one of the actuating systems is 12:1, then if the same system were used for the second speed, it would provide a total mechanical advantage of 12:1 applied to the 6:1 gear ratio of the first system for a total mechanical advantage of 72:1 through both systems when the reel 42 is utilized as the actuating element for the winch This two-speed system permits initial rapid tightening of the line on the winch by utilizing the reel 33 and then final tightening through the greater torque obtainable through the use of the actuating reel 42.

In FIG. 5 of the drawings there is shown a slightly modified form of the invention which utilizes a different form of speed-reducing drive train than the one previously described with reference to FIGS. 14 of the drawings. In this illustrated embodiment of the invention, the speed-reducing drive train may consist of a chain and sprockets or a cog belt and cog pulleys or a V-belt and pulleys or similar types of speed-reducing drives in which one of the rotary members 47 is of smaller diameter than the other rotary member 48, which serves as a drive element, and the two rotary members are interconnected by an endless flexible transmission member 49.

In this form of the invention, the small pulley or sprocket 47 has integrated therewith or connected thereto a ratchet 50 for coaction with the previously described clutch 34 of the retract reel 33. The larger pulley or sprocket wheel 48 is secured, as by set screw 51, to a drive shaft 52 for rotation therewith. A suitably modified housing 12a is provided for this modified form of speed-reducing drive train.

As the cord 35 of the retract reel 33is pulled by the crewman, the rotation of the reel 33 is transmitted to the pulley or sprocket 47 through the uni-directional clutch provided by the pawl 34 and the ratchet 50. Assuming thatthis rotary motion is clockwise, the rota-- tion of the member 47 is transmitted by the flexible member 49 to the larger sprocket wheel or pulley 48 and through it to cause clockwise rotation of the drive shaft 52 which is connected to the winch body in the manner previously described with reference to drive shaft 16 or in any other suitable manner. Repetitive actuation of the retract reel is continued until the winched line is sufficiently taut.

If a two-speed winch unit is desired, a second drive train of the type illustrated in FIG. 5 can be combined with the primary drive train to achieve a two-speed unit in the manner previously described with reference to FIG. 4 of the drawings. In such an arrangement, the drive element 49 of the second drive train would serve the same function as the previously described spur gear 45 and would be affixed or connected to the rotary member 47 of the primary drive train for rotation therewith, in accordance with the previously disclosed principles of the invention as related to the two-speed winch unit of FIG. 4.

In those circumstances where the winch mechanism embodying this invention is adapted to an existing winch installation, it may be desirable to utilize a suitable form of adapter plate between the existing winch botly and the new winch actuator mechanism. The winch body could be bolted or otherwise fastened to such an adapter plate. In such case, the adapter plate could be secured to a considerably shortened version of the previously described drive shaft 16 or in some circumstances, the adapter plate could be connected directly to the drive gear 28 or rotary member 48, as the case may be. The principle of operation and the function of the various elements and components of the actuator system, whether one-speed or two-speed, is as previously described regardless of whether the winch installation is original equipment or adapted to existing winch bodies.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention, herewith shown and described, are to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a marine winch, the combination of a speedreducing drive train, including a rotatable drive element at the output end thereof, a drive shaft secured to said drive element for rotation therewith, means connecting said drive shaft to a winch body to effect reduced-speed rotation thereof in response to actuation of said drive train, an axle shaft, an actuating reel rotatably journalled on said axle shaft, uni-directional clutch means interconnected said reel to the input end of said drive train to actuate it for rotation of said drive shaft in a given direction, a flexible element wound upon said reel and extendable therefrom to effect actuating rotation of said reel, spring means connected to said reel and energized in response toactuating rotation of said reel to urge counter-rotation of said reel upon release of said extended flexible element, and uni-directional locking means engaging said drive train to prevent counter-rotation thereof.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises a spring-loaded pawl.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive train comprises a belt and pulleys in speedreducing relationship, and said drive element is one of said pulleys.

4. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive train comprises a chain and sprockets in speedreducing relationship, and said drive element is one of said sprockets.

5. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive train element comprises a speed-reducing gear train, and said drive element is a drive gear.

6. In a winch, the combination of a first speedreducing drive train, including a. drive element at the output end thereof, means connecting said drive element to a winch body to effect reduced-speed rotation thereof, a first spring-biased retract reel, first unidirectional clutch means connecting said first reel to the input end of said first drive train to actuate it to rotate said winch body in a given direction, a first flexible element wound upon said first reel and extendable therefrom to effect actuating rotation of said first reel in opposition to its spring-bias, a second speedreducing drive train having its output end operatively connected to the input end of said first drive train, a second spring-biased retract reel, second unidirectional clutch means connecting said second reel to the input end of said second drive train to actuate it to rotate said winch body in said given direction through said first drive train, a second flexible element wound upon said second reel and extendable therefrom to effect actuating rotation of said second reel in opposition to its spring-bias, and uni-directional locking means engaging said first and second drive trains to prevent counter-rotation thereof.

7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said first-named and second drive trains each comprise a gear train and said drive element is a drive gear, said first-named gear train includes a pinion gear engaging said first-named drive gear, and means connecting said second drive gear for coaxial rotation with said pinion gear.

8. In a marine winch, the combination of a first speed-reducing drive train, including a rotatable drive element at the output end thereof, a drive shaft secured to said drive element for rotation therewith, means connecting said drive shaft to a winch body to effect reduced-speed rotation thereof in response to actuation of said first drive train, a first axle shaft, a first actuating reel rotatably journalled on said first axle shaft, first uni-directional clutch means interconnecting said first reel to the input end of said first drive train to actuate it to rotate said drive shaft in a given direction, a first flexible element wound upon said first reel and extendable therefrom to effect actuating rotation of said first reel, first spring means connected to said first reel and energized in response to actuating rotation of said first reel to urge counter-rotation of said first reel upon release of said extended first flexible element, a second speed-reducing drive train, including a second rotatable drive element at the output end thereof connected to the input end of said first speed-reducing drive train, a second axle shaft, a second actuating reel rotatably joumalled on said second axle shaft, second unidirectional clutch means interconnecting said second reel to the input end of said second drive train to actuate it to rotate said drive shaft in said given direction through said first drive train, a second flexible element wound upon said second reel and extendable therefrom to effect actuating rotation of said second reel, second spring means connected to said second reel and energized in response to actuating rotation of said second reel to urge counter-rotation of said second reel upon release of said extended second flexible element, and unidirectional lock means engaging said first and second drive trains to prevent counter-rotation thereof, whereby actuation of said first actuating reel imparts rotation to said winch body at a given speed-reduction ratio and actuation of said second actuating reel imparts rotation to said winch body at a substantially reduced speed and higher torque.

9. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said second flexible element is wound upon said second reel in a direction opposite to the direction of said firstnamed flexible element. 

1. In a marine winch, the combination of a speed-reducing drive train, including a rotatable drive element at the output end thereof, a drive shaft secured to said drive element for rotation therewith, means connecting said drive shaft to a winch body to effect reduced-speed rotation thereof in response to actuation of said drive train, an axle shaft, an actuating reel rotatably journalled on said axle shaft, uni-directional clutch means interconnected said reel to the input end of said drive train to actuate it for rotation of said drive shaft in a given direction, a flexible element wound upon said reel and extendable therefrom to effect actuating rotation of said reel, spring means connected to said reel and energized in response to actuating rotation of said reel to urge counter-rotation of said reel upon release of said extended flexible element, and uni-directional locking means engaging said drive train to prevent counter-rotation thereof.
 2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises a spring-loaded pawl.
 3. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive train comprises a belt and pulleys in speed-reducing relationship, and said drive element is one of said pulleys.
 4. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive train comprises a chain and sprockets in speed-reducing relationship, and said drive element is one of said sprockets.
 5. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said drive train element comprises a speed-reducing gear train, and said drive element is a drive gear.
 6. In a winch, the combination of a first speed-reducing drive train, including a drive element at the output end thereof, means connecting said drive element to a winch body to effect reduced-speed rotation thereof, a first spring-biased retract reel, first uni-directional clutch means connecting said first reel to the input end of said first drive train to actuate it to rotate said winch body in a given direction, a first flexible element wound upon said first reel and extendable therefrom to effect actuating rotation of said first reel in opposition to its spring-bias, a second speed-reducing drive train having its output end operatively connected to the input end of said first drive train, a second spring-biased retract reel, second unidirectional clutch means connecting said second reel to the input end of said second drive train to actuate it to rotate said winch body in said given direction through said first drive train, a second flexible element wound upon said second reel and extendable therefrom to effect actuating rotation of said second reel in opposition to its spring-bias, and uni-directional locking means engaging said first and second drive trains to prevent counter-rotation thereof.
 7. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said first-named and second drive trains each comprise a gear train and said drive element is a drive gear, said first-named gear train includes a pinion gear engaging said first-named drive gear, and means connecting said second drive gear for coaxial rotation with said pinion gear.
 8. In a marine winch, the combination of a first speed-reducing drive train, including a rotatable drive element at the output end thereof, a drive shaft secured to said drive element for rotation therewith, means connecting said drive shaft to a winch body to effect reduced-speed rotation thereof in response to actuation of said first drive train, a first axle shaft, a first actuating reel rotatably journalled on said first axle shaft, first uni-directional clutch means interconnecting said first reel to the input end of said first drive train to actuate it to rotate said drive shaft in a given direction, a first flexible element wound upon said first reel and extendable therefrom to effect actuating rotation of said first reel, first spring means connected to said first reel and energized in response to actuating rotation of said first reel to urge counter-rotation of said first reel upon release of said extended first flexible element, a second speed-reducing drive train, including a second rotatable drive element at the output end thereof connected to the input end of said first speed-reducing drive train, a second axle shaft, a second actuating reel rotatably journalled on said second axle shaft, second uni-directional clutch means interconnecting said second reel to the input end of said second drive train to actuate it to rotate said drive shaft in said given direction through said first drive train, a second flexible element wound upon said second reel and extendable therefrom to effect actUating rotation of said second reel, second spring means connected to said second reel and energized in response to actuating rotation of said second reel to urge counter-rotation of said second reel upon release of said extended second flexible element, and unidirectional lock means engaging said first and second drive trains to prevent counter-rotation thereof, whereby actuation of said first actuating reel imparts rotation to said winch body at a given speed-reduction ratio and actuation of said second actuating reel imparts rotation to said winch body at a substantially reduced speed and higher torque.
 9. A combination as defined in claim 6, wherein said second flexible element is wound upon said second reel in a direction opposite to the direction of said first-named flexible element. 